Cultivating for Immorality: I Evolved Martial Arts into the Immortal Path – Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Helping in times of need

In the depth of the night, a gentle breeze blows.

The lights of the Yunlai Restaurant flicker, the atmosphere is tense.

Outside the restaurant stand numerous menacing members of the Green Robe Gang.

Passersby, upon seeing them, dare not approach and instead hurry away with their lanterns, giving the place a wide berth.

Inside the restaurant.

Faced with the Green Robe Gang’s interrogation, Qi Shun’s mind races, but he maintains a gentle smile and says, “That Chu Liang is a hunter who often provides my restaurant with fresh game. Many people know this. I suppose you could say we’re acquainted.”

“Oh? Just acquainted? But I heard you and that Chu Liang are like sworn brothers!” The Green Robe Gang member’s voice is stern and harsh.

“Your Excellency, you misunderstand.”

Qi Shun explains with a smile, “It’s a habit of mine. I address those of higher status as ‘Your Excellency’ and those of lower status as ‘brother.’ I’m not just sworn brothers with Chu Liang; I address hunters from other villages the same way.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s true, not a word of a lie!”

Qi Shun speaks with conviction, adding, “If you don’t believe me, feel free to ask anyone. Everyone in this restaurant knows this.”

“Really?”

The Green Robe Gang member’s gaze shifts to the accountant behind the counter.

The accountant hurriedly nods, saying, “Yes, Shopkeeper Qi is like that with everyone. Not just mountain village hunters, even if it’s a beggar on the street, he’ll call them ‘brother.’ He’s always been this friendly to people.”

“Hmph! If you’re lying, you know the consequences!”

“I wouldn’t dare!”

The accountant shakes his head repeatedly, a hint of fear appearing on his face.

The Green Robe Gang member gestures, and his men immediately scatter to question others in the restaurant and nearby residents.

Before long, they return with their findings.

“Hall Master, he wasn’t lying.”

“He really does address everyone as brothers.”

“Word has also come from the market. This Shopkeeper Qi is known for this. He addresses the stall owners there as brothers as well.”

“Hall Master, this man has broad connections. Someone from the Martial Alliance sent word for us not to harm him…”

“…”

The information is gathered, proving that Qi Shun wasn’t lying.

He smiles gently, standing before the counter, and says to the men, “Please, have a seat. If you keep standing, people might say the Yunlai Restaurant is inhospitable. The weather is turning cold; I’ll have the kitchen staff prepare some brown sugar ginger soup to warm you up.”

“That won’t be necessary!”

The Hall Master’s expression is cold as he waves a hand dismissively.

However, the Green Robe Gang members behind him seem tempted. The autumn nights are indeed cold, and they’ve been running around collecting information, working up a sweat. Now, with the cold wind blowing, the chill is starting to seep into their bones.

A bowl of hot brown sugar ginger soup would be most welcome.

Thinking of this, their gazes towards Shopkeeper Qi soften, losing their previous hostility.

“Qi Shun, I have a few more questions for you.” The Hall Master says.

“Please, go ahead.”

“When did that Chu Liang start selling you game?”

“About five years ago…”

Qi Shun’s voice is steady as he answers.

The next few questions are simple, all related to hunting.

Finally, the Hall Master asks Qi Shun in detail about his last two meetings with Chu Liang.

Qi Shun’s expression remains unchanged, his voice as calm as before, as he recounts their meetings, omitting anything related to the black market.

“That’s all, Your Excellency.”

“Very well!”

The Hall Master glances at the man beside him.

The man, holding a notebook, nods slightly, indicating he has recorded everything.

The Hall Master turns back to Qi Shun and says coldly, “Qi Shun, keep tonight’s events to yourself. Don’t mention them to anyone.”

“You can rest assured, Your Excellency. I understand.”

Qi Shun smiles sincerely, then takes two steps forward, closer to the Hall Master, and takes out a silver note from his pocket.

He says in a low voice, “I apologize for any disrespect tonight. Please accept this as a token of my apology.”

The Hall Master glances at the amount on the note, his eyes flicker, and without a word, he takes it and stuffs it into his pocket.

Then, with a wave of his hand, he turns and strides out of the restaurant.

“Let’s go!”

“Yes, sir!”

The remaining Green Robe Gang members in the restaurant respond and follow him out.

The Green Robe Gang members outside follow closely behind, their steps hurried, and they quickly move away from the restaurant.

After they leave, the Yunlai Restaurant falls silent.

Qi Shun’s expression is calm as he closes the restaurant door, seemingly unaffected.

Behind the counter, the accountant can’t help but ask, “Shopkeeper, is this matter over then?”

“Yes, it has nothing to do with us anymore.”

Qi Shun gives a slight smile.

The accountant breathes a sigh of relief, clutching the ledger, and says, “Shopkeeper, that Chu Liang must have offended the Green Robe Gang. He’s probably just a One Strand of Qi and Blood martial artist. Messing with the Green Robe Gang, he won’t have a good end. We… we should have less contact with him in the future.”

“Don’t worry, I know.” Qi Shun says with a smile, “There are many hunters who provide ingredients for the restaurant. One less won’t make a difference.”

“That’s good. I was worried you might want to help him.”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

Qi Shun shakes his head with a smile and says, “The Green Robe Gang is powerful. I’m just a small restaurant shopkeeper. How could I dare to oppose them?”

“That’s right. The Green Robe Gang is too powerful.” The accountant agrees. “Alright, Old Huang, it’s getting late. You should head home and rest. I’m going to check on the kitchen.”

With that, Qi Shun leaves the main hall of the restaurant.

He turns and heads towards the kitchen at the back.

There are still some workers and cooks in the kitchen.

They were all frightened, thinking something had happened to the restaurant, and were worried about their future.

“Shopkeeper!”

“Shopkeeper Qi, what happened?”

Seeing Qi Shun arrive, they all speak up, their faces filled with anxiety.

Qi Shun waves his hand and says with a smile, “It was nothing serious, it’s all resolved. Everyone can relax.”

“That’s good.”

“I was scared to death. I thought our restaurant had offended the Green Robe Gang.”

The crowd breathes a sigh of relief, their anxiety dissipating.

◈◈◈

As long as the restaurant is still standing, it’s all good.

“Go get some rest.” Qi Shun tells them, “After that commotion with the Green Robe Gang, we probably won’t have any more customers tonight.”

“Shopkeeper, you should get some rest too. Don’t overwork yourself.”

“Alright.”

Qi Shun nods with a smile, then looks at a thin, young man and says, “Xiaoyu, come with me to the wine cellar. There are some aged wines that need to be checked, it might take some time.”

“Yes, sir.”

The young man called Xiaoyu immediately walks over to Qi Shun.

They leave together.

The wine cellar is located beneath the restaurant, filled with various types of wine.

Qi Shun carries an oil lamp, descending the stone steps into the cellar. Once Xiaoyu follows him in, he immediately closes the cellar door.

He drops the smile from his face, his expression turning serious.

“Xiaoyu, how have I treated you these past years?” Qi Shun asks the thin young man in a deep voice.

“Shopkeeper, you saved my life, gave me food and shelter. Without you, I would have joined my parents in the underworld long ago.”

The thin young man kneels before Qi Shun.

He’s not stupid; he guesses that Qi Shun has a task for him, and it’s likely a dangerous one, possibly even life-threatening.

“Shopkeeper, just give the order. Xiaoyu’s life is yours!”

“Good!”

Qi Shun takes out a black market token from his pocket and hands it to the young man, saying, “I took you through the black market route once before. Do you still remember it?”

“I remember!”

“Take this token, go through the secret passage in the wine cellar, and head to the black market immediately. Ask the black market manager for a good horse, then leave through the third hidden exit of the black market. Follow that mountain ridge path to Qing Shi Village. Do you remember?”

“Shopkeeper, I remember.”

“Good, you must be quick!”

Qi Shun takes a deep breath and helps the young man to his feet.

He pats the young man’s shoulder solemnly and says, “Xiaoyu, this journey will be fraught with danger, as you won’t be taking the main road, and it’s nighttime.”

“I understand.”

“Good that you understand. If you reach Qing Shi Village, relay my message to Chu Liang. Remember…”

His tone is steady as he tells the young man about the Green Robe Gang’s visit.

After listening, the young man feels the weight of the situation, understanding why Qi Shun is so serious.

He looks up, his eyes bright, and asks Qi Shun, “Shopkeeper, that Chu Liang is only an acquaintance. Is this worth it?”

“Xiaoyu, remember this, adding flowers to a brocade is good, but it’s far less valuable than offering charcoal in the snow.”

“I’ll remember.”

“Good, now go!”

◈◈◈

Night has fallen.

Qing Shi Village is quiet and peaceful.

In Chu Liang’s courtyard, three furry puppies huddle together, resting under the donkey cart.

When not showing hostility to outsiders, they look just like ordinary puppies, nothing out of the ordinary.

Chu Liang is lying in his bedroom, sound asleep.

Suddenly, a small mouse squeezes through the crack under the door and leaps onto Chu Liang’s bed.

“Master! Wake up!”

It grabs Chu Liang’s sleeve with its two small paws, its strength surprisingly great, and shakes him vigorously.

Chu Liang is quickly shaken awake.

He’s still a bit groggy at first, but when he glances at the wooden window and sees that it’s still nighttime, he realizes something is amiss and immediately snaps awake.

“Shu Da, what’s wrong?”

“Someone’s coming.”

“How many?”

“Just one, an injured young man, approaching the village.”

“Oh? I’ll go take a look.”

Chu Liang immediately gets up, puts on his soft armor and hidden weapons, grabs the necessary poisons, and leaves the room.

He leaps lightly onto the large sophora tree in the courtyard, stands on a branch, narrows his eyes, and looks into the distance, using the moonlight to see.

Before long, a young man on horseback appears in Chu Liang’s field of vision.

“Huh…”

Chu Liang lets out a soft sound of surprise. He’s seen this young man before.

When Mo Shi Village was attacked by demon beasts, many people died, and a banquet needed to be held.

The Yunlai Restaurant took on the task of catering the death banquet, and the entire restaurant was busy that day. Many workers were running around the main hall, and this young man was one of them.

“He’s one of Shopkeeper Qi’s people. Coming here so late, he’s probably looking for me. Could something have happened in the county town?”

Chu Liang jumps down from the branch and out of the courtyard.

He can see that the young man is exhausted, at the end of his rope, and could collapse at any moment.

Whoosh!

He leaps several zhang, becoming a blur in the moonlight, and heads straight for the young man.

In just a few moments, he reaches the young man.

Seeing Chu Liang’s appearance, a glimmer of joy appears on the young man’s pale and weary face. He musters his strength and asks in a dry, hoarse voice, “Is that… is that Master Chu Liang ahead?”

“It’s me. What’s the matter?” Chu Liang asks.

“My shopkeeper sent me to warn you. The Green Robe Gang suspects you’re the one who killed their Nineteenth Wife. They might come after you in the next few days. The Green Robe Gang is extremely ruthless, you can’t let your guard down… cough cough…”

The young man’s breath is weak, he coughs a couple of times, and his voice becomes even more hoarse, “They don’t need evidence, even suspicion is enough for them to…”

Before he can finish, he sways and falls from the horse.

Chu Liang is quick to react and catches him.

He reaches out and feels the young man’s pulse, which is weak and thready, clearly at his limit, only sustained by sheer willpower.

“To come all this way at night, avoiding the Green Robe Gang’s eyes, it must have been difficult.”

Chu Liang’s gaze deepens as he looks in the direction of the county town.

He’s well aware of the risks Shopkeeper Qi took to do this.

“I’ll remember this favor.”